According to the arrangement of Commandery Princess Qingjiang, Song Yixiao and Nie Wuying should go back to the imperial capital after spending one night in Yaohua Venue.

However, you just never knew what would happen. Commandery Princess Qingjiang let Nie Wuying and Song Yixiao get away from the dinner in Ruyi Garden on the ground that Nie Wuying was sick. Unexpectedly, the excuse just came true!

The next morning, Song Yixiao suddenly awoke, feeling too hot. She opened her eyes and found in surprise that Nie Wuying sleeping next to her touched like fire, who was in a fever!

Song Yixiao hastily got off bed to summon servants while dressing herself up in a hurry.

When Yuedeng and Liyu came into the room and saw what happened, they also felt at a loss, “Your Highness, how come?”

“Why do you bother to ask?” Song Yixiao tied up the belt roughly and touched the forehead of Nie Wuying only to find that it was as hot as a piece of red-hot iron. Instantly, she felt dizzy and then shouted, “Why are you still standing here? Go and send for a doctor right now!”

Yuedeng and Liyu, both taken aback, ran outside at the same time. Yet, Song Yixiao immediately came to her senses and hastened to shout, “Come back!”

The only one doctor in the Zhanchun Venue was Doctor Han, who was a.s.signed by Emperor Xianjia to take care of Zhuo Ping'an.

In light of his qualification, he could surely bring down a fever.

The problem was that he was in Jianliu Building, which was about 4 or 5 kilometers away. It would take a lot of time to send for him and then go back to his place to fetch medicine and bring back for decoction. Given the current condition of Nie Wuying, she couldn't stand any delay!

Song Yixiao thought it over and then gritted her teeth, “You go to two places respectively. One of you goes to send for Doctor Han and the other goes to Lunong Building to ask Mr. Su to come here!”

It was good that she made such a decision, because soon after she gave the order, Nie Wuying went into a spasm. If Su Shaoge didn't arrive in time and went into the chamber to relieve her condition, Song Yixiao would be anxious to death!

“According to my diagnosis, Miss Nie not only suffers horror but also gets a cold.” Su Shaoge gave her an acupuncture treatment without looking neither right nor left and then retreated out of the curtain. He collected his robe quietly and then said to Song Yixiao after him, “Her condition is not complicated. She will be fine as long as the fever goes down.”

His casual tone made others believe that Nie Wuying only had a minor illness.

Song Yixiao was finally relieved from a flurry. She wiped her face randomly and said with hope, “May I know when the fever will go down then?”

“Boil the medicinal herbs first.” Su Shaoge walked to the nearby desk noncommittally and rolled up his sleeves. Song Yixiao didn't realize that he was changing the subject and instead, hastily went forward to grind the ink for him.

“I intend to stay here until the early spring, so for convenience, I've brought some common medicine with me,” After the ink was ground, Su Shaoge fetched a writing brush to write down a prescription, saying, “I happen to be able to dispense the required medicinal herbs for Miss Nie. I will let the servant send the herbs here after I go back.”

Song Yixiao didn't expect him to be so considerate. She was too grateful to utter a word. It took her quite a while to say with a sob, “Thank you so much for your big help! I'll never forget this!”

“You've taken it too seriously,” Su Shaoge said gently, “This is the prescription. Do you want to take a look at it?”

Why did Song Yixiao bother to look at it? She didn't even know what licorice root was. Actually, she felt that the writing style just echoed with his appearance, which was also pretty and outstanding. However, now it was not the time to compliment on his writing. She only said, “Please pardon my ignorance and incompetence. I have never learnt anything about medical science.”

“Then I'll leave it here. When Doctor Han arrives, maybe he will review and amend it.” Su Shaoge put a paperweight on the prescription and made an obeisance with his hands unfolded in front of his chest to her, “If you have no other request, shall I go to prepare for the medicinal herbs first?”

Now Song Yixiao wouldn't mind the manner and then directly replied in a hurry, “Liyu, go with Mr. Su!”

Although Su Shaoge claimed to send the medicinal herbs here, Song Yixiao didn't want to have him bothered by such a trifle since he had helped her again and again.

In spite of that, she still felt apologetic so she asked Yuedeng to stay in the chamber to look after Nie Wuying while she saw Su Shaoge off on her own. Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the corridor, a servant who was holding a basin nearby saw them, instantly got startled and then turned around to run away without saying anything.

Song Yixiao was worried about her sister-in-law now. Though she noticed that servant, she just didn't care. She saw Su Shaoge off the Yaohua Venue and thanked him briefly.

She turned around and wanted to go back when she heard someone shout at her nearby, “Stand still there!”

Song Yixiao found that it was Princess Yushan, who hadn't done any makeup. This princess was no longer kind to her; instead, she glared at Song Yixiao as if looking at a foe, and then dashed forward to grab her arm, yelling in a trembling voice, “He was in your room last night?”

“Your Highness, please show me some respect!” Song Yixiao was disgruntled and now got really angry due to her interrogatory. She shrugged Yushan away and replied angrily, “Don't forget that I slept with Wuying together last night. What you just said not only ruins my reputation!”

Princess Yushan was dazed and said in a lower voice, “Then why did he go out of your room just now?”

“Wuying has got a serious fever!” Song Yixiao took a deep breath to hold back her anger and explain in a nicer tone, “Jianliu Building is too far away. For the sake of timely treatment, I sent for Mr. Su to treat Wuying. He came to offer a favor out of kindness. Your Highness should not misunderstand it!”

Princess Yushan was shocked, “Did Mr. Su went into the curtain to diagnose Miss Nie just now?”

Song Yixiao noticed something wrong with her tone so she hedged and said in a deep voice, “Your Highness should not forget that doctors care about their patients just like parents do!”

“You mean Mr. Su did go into the curtain and give Miss Nie a treatment?” Princess Yushan was so jealous now and as Song Yixiao's reply testified her conjecture, she pulled a long face instantly, “Everyone knows that Miss Nie is a pearl in the palm of Aunt Jinguo. Moreover, Mr. Su is talented and good-looking, who is still single. Since he went into her curtain, for the sake of Miss Nie's reputation, how can Aunt not push the boat along with the current and make Miss Nie marry him?”

She questioned through clenched teeth, “You know how I feel for him. Why did you still do that?”

Princess Yushan became sadder and sadder amidst talking. She was aggressive at first and then turned grieved with disappointment. Now her eyes were red. It looked like she would burst out crying!

Song Yixiao was speechless to look at her, “Your Highness grows up in the palace. Don't you know that Mr. Su is the legitimate cousin of Prince of Zhao and that Mother never interferes in the political affairs?”

“I know that you have a thing for Su Shaoge and this man is indeed talented and good-looking. Yet, as a saying goes, different people have different tastes. Don't take it that he will accept any girl!” She thought to herself.

Nie Wuying never appeared to have a crush on Su Shaoge. Neither did Jinguo Grand Princess interfere in the political affairs. Since the Su Family was clearly engaged in the fight of seizing the throne, how was it possible that the Grand Princess put her birth daughter into the trouble?

“Erm!” Princess Yushan was deeply obsessive about Su Shaoge. Upon hearing that he went to into Nie Wuying's curtain for treatment, she thought of it in a romantic way. Then she recalled that Nie Wuying was backed by the Grand Princess and thus had a chance to marry the second legitimate son of a duke. As a result, she felt that her love would be taken away. As she was reminded by Song Yixiao, she finally came around and felt too embarra.s.sed to say anything.

Luckily, Jiang Muting heard the noise and arrived in a hurry, “Yushan, how come you rushed outside without doing any makeup?”

In the meanwhile, Jiang Muting saw that Song Yixiao was roughly dressed up and also looked stern. She was taken aback, “Why are you standing here in the early morning?”

“Miss Nie is sick!” Princess Yushan took the opportunity to get away with it. While walking to her, she said, “Miss Nie seems to be rather seriously ill. Shall we go into her room and take a look?”

“Miss Nie is sick?” Jiang Muting was surprised and yet stopped her, “Yushan, look at your disheveled appearance. You should go back and clean yourself up first in case you get a cold! Moreover, since Miss Nie is sick, we had better leave her alone. Otherwise, it will hinder her from recovery!”

Of course it was only an excuse. The real reason was that Princess Yushan was daughter of the emperor. If she was infected by the illness and got sick, Jiang Muting and Song Yixiao couldn't explain at all.

In terms of this aspect, even though Jiang Muting was the beloved niece of Virtuous Consort, she didn't dare to act willfully.

“She was well last night. How come she gets sick now?” After Princess Yushan left, Jiang Muting went near Song Yixiao and asked in a low voice, “Did Yushan offend you just now? I'm so sorry. She is the only daughter of my Aunt and there are very few other princesses in the imperial palace. Inevitably, she is a bit arrogant and willful. Please don't take it personally!”

Song Yixiao heaved a bitter sigh and shook her head, saying, “Her Highness just got me wrong. It's okay. Yet, Wuying is seriously ill indeed, so when I found that just now, I didn't dare to wait until Doctor Han arrived. Instead, I sent a maid to Lunong Building to ask Mr. Su for help! However, although Liyu has followed Mr. Su to fetch the medicine, I'm wondering when she will come back. You know, the medicine must be boiled then.”

Hearing that Su Shaoge just came by, Jiang Muting figured out what misunderstanding it was then and couldn't help biting her lips, saying, “Lunong Building is not far away. Supposedly, she will be back soon! Moreover, I have never heard of that Miss Nie is in poor condition. Obviously, it is only a minor illness. I think she will get better after taking the medicine. Don't worry too much!”

Despite saying so, when she followed Song Yixiao into the room and saw Nie Wuying whose face was red with her forehead pretty hot, Jiang Muting got startled too, “No wonder you can't wait until Doctor Han arrives!”

Song Yixiao was about to speak when hurried footsteps came from the yard. Then Liyu reported hastily before coming into the room, “Madam, I have got the medicine. I'll boil it now!”

“Yuedeng, go to do her a favor and bring the herbal soup as soon as possible!” Song Yixiao felt relieved with a sigh and said to Jiang Muting, “I awoke this morning for feeling too hot!”

“Fortunately, you two slept together last night!” Jiang Muting said that and frowned, asking, “Is she okay? I really don't think so.”

Song Yixiao puckered her lips, “Mr. Su told me about her condition in a casual tone. Hopefully, she will be alright. Just now… I really didn't have the courage to ask him further just now!”

They looked each other in the eye, both of whom were grim. Nie Wuying was fine in Buyue Villa and yet got seriously sick in Yaohua Venue. There wouldn't be a big problem if she became well; if anything untoward happened to her, both of them must be held accountable!

Song Yixiao would be surely liable. If it were not for her, Nie Wuying wouldn't need to come here.

As to Jiang Muting, Song Yixiao hid from Daiguo Grand Princess just because of her.

Moreover, in terms of conscience, neither of them hoped to get the innocent Nie Wuying into trouble!

They kept silent for a while. Then Jiang Muting said with a forced smile, “Maybe she is really fine?”

That was the only way to comfort themselves.

Then they didn't say anything but to stare at the poor girl lying in bed.

After a while, Liyu and Yuedeng finally brought the medicine. Song Yixiao hastened to take it while Jiang Muting sat by the bed and held Nie Wuying in her arms for Song Yixiao to feed the medicine.

They worked together to feed Nie Wuying the medicine and wiped her mouth. After putting her back on bed and tucking her in, they stared at her nervously. Very soon, Nie Wuying started to sweat from her forehead and groaned in anguish.

“She is sweating now. Supposedly, her fever will cool down!” Jiang Muting grabbed Song Yixiao's hand in surprise and said, “She should be fine then!”

Song Yixiao was still rather anxious, fearing that they had rejoiced too much. She said to Liyu, “You go to ask Mr. Su whether Wuying will get well given her current condition now.”

After Liyu went out, Song Yixiao suddenly thought of one thing and then asked Yuedeng in surprise, “Didn't you send anyone to report this to Commandery Princess Qingjiang? How come no one has arrived by far?”

Buyue Villa and Jianliu Building were adjacent, which were both far away from Yaohua Venue. Yet, it had been such a long time. As Commandery Princess Qingjiang thought highly of Nie Wuying, she should have been here anyway!